OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the efficacy of oxaliplatin, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil followed by irinotecan, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil in terms of progression free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. II. Evaluate these treatment regimens in terms of overall survival, response rate, toxicity, and quality of life in this patient population.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients receive 4 courses of oxaliplatin IV and leucovorin calcium IV over 2 hours on day 1 followed by fluorouracil IV continuously over 46 hours. Following the initial 4 courses of therapy, patients receive 4 courses of irinotecan IV over 30-90 minutes and leucovorin calcium IV over 2 hours on day 1 followed by fluorouracil IV continuously over 46 hours. Courses repeat every 2 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Quality of life is assessed every 8 weeks. Patients are followed every 3 months until death.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 14-39 patients will be accrued for this study over 12 months.

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 80 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN Renal: Not specified Other: No bowel obstruction No other significant, uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric condition No serious active infection Neurologically stable No other prior malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No psychological, social, familial, or geographical condition that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00006115